Piece Hall's CEO Nicky Chance-Thompson joins Welcome to Yorkshire board

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL is CEO and Trustee of the multi-award-winning The Piece Hall in Halifax.

Since it reopened in August 2017, The Piece Hall has attracted over seven million visitors to enjoy the independent heritage, retail, food and culture destination, with a series of high-profile art, film and music events including world-class bands such as Elbow.

“I’m incredibly interested in supporting Welcome to Yorkshire and I have a passion for promoting the county as a great place to visit, live and work" said Nicky Chance-Thompson.

“As a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, I take great pride in telling the rest of the world what we already know.

"Originally from London, I can see things with a new visitor’s perspective which can be different to those who have been born and bred in Yorkshire. My experiences running The Piece Hall, a magnificent, unique and iconic building, delivering large music and sporting events, and having previously worked in advertising and large regeneration projects will bring useful experience and skills to the Board, helping make destination Yorkshire a compelling and leading world brand.“

Shie is also joined on the board by Head of Marketing and Sales at Castle Howard, Abbi Ollive

Welcome to Yorkshire Chair Peter Box said: “Nicky and Abbi’s vast experience in the tourism industry and their impressive achievements working with heritage attractions, means they’ll both be incredible assets and brilliant additions to the team. Bringing skills, enthusiasm and fantastic vision to the Welcome to Yorkshire Board, we’re all delighted to have them on board.”

Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive James Mason added: “Having two inspirational tourism experts with such in-depth knowledge and experience of the visitor economy will be a genuine asset for the Welcome to Yorkshire Board. Under Peter Box’s leadership, we are building a team of people who will create and deliver our fresh and exciting new strategy for the immediate short-term, as well as for a long-term, sustainable future.”